A mainlander has been arrested for allegedly stealing valuables from three victims, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Ho Chan Nam said at a special press conference yesterday.
Thieves who steal property while travelling on a plane are colloquially known in Cantonese as “jet rats” (“feigei louhsyu”).
The 52-year-old suspect surnamed Chai told the police that he’s jobless.
According to Ho, on Saturday night during a flight from Singapore to Macau, a male passenger witnessed Chai attempting to steal from his cousin’s backpack while she went to the toilet. He immediately intervened and informed the flight attendants, who made an announcement for passengers to check their belongings.
Three passengers discovered that yuan, Hong Kong dollars and Singapore dollars, amounting to a total of 23,500 patacas, had gone missing from their luggage.
Upon landing in Macau, police officers searched the plane and found the stolen cash hidden in different areas, wrapped in airsickness bags and plastic rubbish bags.
Under questioning, Chai refused to cooperate with the authorities. Police found seven plastic bags similar to the ones used to wrap the stolen cash.
Chai was transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) yesterday, facing aggravated theft charges, according to Ho.
Evidence such as Singapore dollars and other currencies is displayed at the Judiciary Police (PJ) press conference room yesterday. – Photo: William Chan
